International Student Friendship Ministry

Who We Are:

Nearly 75 percent of the 723,000 university international students in the United States never step foot into an American home. ISFM provides the opportunity for Christians to open their homes and hearts to international university students and experience a whole new world.

What We Do:

This ministry was created 42 years ago to ease the transition into American culture and the university setting for new international students. ISFM’s objective is to find and match friendship volunteers with international students studying at the University of Houston main campus. ISFM seeks caring, qualified families and singles to befriend these students. This is a friendship ministry, not a live-in exchange program.

Get Involved:

You can pray for students and hosts or become a host friend:

Because students have a need to practice speaking English, participants should provide an atmosphere that encourages conversation such as at-home meals and games. It is recommended that host friends and students attempt to meet once a month on average. Other helpful and fun activities are grocery shopping, airport pickup, apartment hunting, sports, sightseeing, shopping excursions, etc. Several citywide ISFM social events are planned each year for all friendship volunteers and students to attend. Participants have no legal, financial or housing obligations to their international student friends. Participants are requested to respond to occasional UH and ISFM survey emails.